Sage
Salvia officinalis
USDA Hardiness zones 5 to 8, your sage will grow as a hardy perennial. However, in the humid climes of zones 9 and farther south, sage is usually an annual, as it does not easily tolerate summer heat and humidity. (1)
Plant Information
Sage, (Salvia officinalis), also called common sage or garden sage, aromatic herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae) cultivated for its pungent leaves. Sage is native to the Mediterranean region and is used fresh or dried as a flavouring in many foods, particularly in stuffings for poultry and pork and in sausages. Some varieties are also grown as ornamentals for their attractive leaves and flowers. Several other species of the genus Salvia are also known as sage. (3)
Sage is a perennial plant and grows about 60 cm (2 feet) tall. The oval leaves are rough or wrinkled and usually downy; the colour ranges from gray-green to whitish green, and some varieties are variegated. The flowers are borne in spikes and feature tubular two-lipped corollas that are attractive to a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The flowers can be purple, pink, white, or red and produce nutlet fruits. (3)
Growing Information
Set out plants in spring or fall, planting seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart. Choose a sunny spot in well-drained soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7. If you have clay soil, add sand and organic matter to lighten up soil and provide better drainage, or make things simple by mixing in a few inches of aged compost-enriched Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics™ All Purpose In-Ground Soil. Sage also grows quite well in pots. Fill containers with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics™ All Purpose Container Mix to provide an excellent environment for root growth. For best results, pair great soil with just the right plant food. Feed sage regularly with a water soluble fertilizer like Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics™ All Purpose Plant Nutrition, following label directions. (1)
PESTS/DISEASES
Rust, Powdery mildew, Stem rot, Fungal leaf spots, Whiteflies, Aphids, Spider mites (2)
Companion Plant Information
Beneficial to garden in general
Do not plant near cucumbers
Medicinal
The sage herb has a variety of medicinal purposes all over the world. Its history of medicinal use is diverse and well-documented. Ancient Egyptians used the herb as a fertility drug. It is said to support digestive health, alleviating the conditions of diarrhea, bloating, loss of appetite, and heartburn. Communities in Europe and Asia brewed sage tea and used it as a tonic. (4)
This superhero plant doesn’t stop there, though. For thousands of years, women used sage for relief from menstruation pain, over-lactation and help with hot flashes. Apply sage directly to your skin to help heal cold sores, gingivitis, and swollen nasal passages. Sage is regarded as helpful for individuals with asthma. Sage is often used in cases of depression and memory loss to positive results. There’s even a possibility that sage can help with chemical imbalances in the brain leading to Alzheimer’s disease. (4)
As is the case when using any plant remedies, it’s a great idea to talk to your doctor to make sure using sage is a good idea. Using sage can be toxic when used in excess or over long periods of time. (4)
Magical
Anyone who has sage planted in their garden is reputed to do well in business.(2)
Stretching back across thousands of years, sage is used for a number of spiritual practices in addition to medicinal reasons, including warding off evil, increasing women’s fertility and even snake bites. (4)
Smudging, in particular, is a ceremonial practice found in some indigenous cultures of the Americas. While the details of the ceremonies and the symbolism involved are specific to each culture, the practice of burning herbs such as sage and creating a scented smoke is a wide-spread practice throughout the world. (4)
Even if spiritual-based rituals aren’t really your thing, consider lighting sage in a well-ventilated room, similar to a stick of incense. Like many human beings before you, you might find the aroma to have a cleansing, mind-clearing effect. (4)
Sage is masculine in nature and associated the the element of air and the planet Jupiter. (6)
Sage is sacred to the Greek Zeus and Roman Jupiter. It is also a symbol of the Virgin Mary. (6)
White sage Salvia apiana is sacred in many Shamanic and Native American belief systems and is used in smudging, and other, ceremonies to purify the body. Smudge sticks made of white sage are often found in New Age shops and kits are heavily marketed to modern magical practitioners. Unfortunately, white sage is difficult to grow in captivity and is largely wild-crafted, which threatens native populations and since it's really not part of European-based traditions, we really don't need it. Our European spiritual ancestors burned a lot of different herbs in their practices, but white sage was not among them. If you feel the need to use sage, garden sage is a suitable substitute1. Indeed, most Salvia species can be burned by the non-indigenous witch and we can leave white sage to those to whom it is truly sacred. If you must have it, try to grow it yourself. (6)
Sage is used in magical workings for immortality, longevity, wisdom, protection and the granting of wishes. (6)
Sage is also believed to help alleviate sorrow of the death of a loved one. (6)
To make a wish, write your wish on a sage leaf and sleep with it under your pillow for three days and then bury it. (6)
Add sage to mojo bags to promote wisdom and to overcome grief. (6)
Burn sage at funeral and remembrance ceremonies to help relieve the grief of the mourners. (6)
History and Folklore
The name Salvia derives from the Latin word Salveo, "to heal" or "to save" (more like, to salve, as in, apply a salve). (6)
It has long been used in healing. An old proverb says "why should a man die who has sage in his garden?". It was used in the Middle Ages to treat fevers, liver disease and epilepsy. In England, the tea drunk as a healthful tonic. It was also believed to strengthen the memory. An old English custom states that eating Sage every day in May will grant immortality. It was also said that a woman who ate sage cooked in wine would never be able to conceive and its fresh leaves were said to cure warts. (6)
It is said that where sage grows well in the garden, the wife rules and that sage will flourish or not depending on the success of the business of the household. (6)
During the Middle Ages, sage was used to mask the taste of rancid meat. Perhaps its antibacterial action also protected people from dying of rancid meat… (6)
The Romans regarded sage quite highly and much sacrifice and ceremony was associated with its harvest. They believed it stimulated the brain and memory and used it to clean their teeth. (6)
The Dutch in the 17th century traded Sage for tea with the Chinese. (6)
Cooking
Sage is an herb that is closely associated with poultry dishes, but it is much more versatile. (5)
Common Salvia officinalis is excellent for use as a seasoning and is undemanding in the garden. For variety and attractiveness, try one of the following. (5)
- Tricolor: This plant doesn't get as large as S. officinalis, but the variegation of its green, white, and pink/purple leaves make it as much an ornamental as a culinary herb. (5)
- Purple (s. purpurescens): This one has deep purple young leaves that mature to a burgundy. (5)
- Aurea: This is a compact grower with soft yellow leaves and purple flowers. (5)
Tender new sage leaves are more flavorful than older leaves on woody stems, so don't be afraid to harvest. Sage leaves are a popular poultry and meat seasoning. They can be used both fresh and dried, even fried. Sage also makes a nice tea. (5)
Sage stores well as a dried herb. The flavor is more intense if you dry the whole leaves and crumble them as needed. (5)
Cosmetic
Sage is also a popular ingredient for skin, hair and face cosmetic products. No, this isn’t just a trending fad on Instagram. Sage is loaded with calcium and Vitamin A, which can have anti-aging benefits. Sage acts as a toner for oily skin, cures acne and relieves the uncomfortable flare-ups associated with eczema and psoriasis. (4)
When it comes to hair, using sage can stimulate both growth and shine. Try boiling one tablespoon of sage with a cup of water for a refreshing hair rinse. Added perk: the presence of the herb can help ward off dandruff. (4)
Pollinator Friendly
Humans aren’t the only creatures finding a use for the sage herb and enjoying the benefits. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers of the sage plant, which grow in clusters of two-lipped tubes. As habitat destruction and a warming planet continue to destroy pollinator insect and bird populations, consider choosing pollinator-friendly plants such as sage to cultivate in your yard. It’s an easy and important way to make a difference. (4)
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